← All chapters

Troilus and Cressida · Chapter

Scene X explained

Troilus announces Hector's death to Aeneas and the Trojans, expressing grief and a desire for revenge.

What happens

Troilus announces Hector's death to Aeneas and the Trojans, expressing grief and a desire for revenge. Pandarus attempts to speak with Troilus but is rebuked, and delivers a bitter epilogue lamenting his fate as a pander.

Themes in this chapter

  • War and Futility

    Hector's ignoble death and Troilus's despair highlight the senseless brutality of war.

  • Deception and Manipulation

    Pandarus's epilogue underscores the theme of betrayal and the consequences of manipulation.

Characters to notice

  • Troilus

    Grieves Hector's death and vows revenge against Achilles.

  • Aeneas

    Leads the Trojans and tries to rally them after Hector's death.

  • Pandarus

    Rejected by Troilus, delivers a final soliloquy lamenting his role as a pander.

Key passages

  • “Hector is slain.”

    Hector has been killed.

    Troilus announces Hector's death to the Trojans.

  • “Hence, broker-lackey! ignomy and shame Pursue thy life, and live aye with thy name!”

    Get away, pimp! May disgrace and shame follow you forever.

    Troilus curses Pandarus and rejects him.

  • “Full merrily the humble-bee doth sing, Till he hath lost his honey and his sting;”

    The bumblebee sings happily until it loses its honey and its sting.

    Pandarus uses a metaphor to describe how he is used and discarded.

Read this chapter freeBook page
Troilus and Cressida — Scene X Explained